Railway shunt enclosure

ABSTRACT

A railway termination shunt enclosure including one or more receptacles, each of the one or more receptacles being configured to receive a termination shunt. The enclosure also includes at least one mounting surface and a connector assembly rotatably attaching the one or more receptacles to one or more of the at least one mounting surface.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/353,899,filed Jun. 22, 2021, and titled RAILWAY SHUNT ENCLOSURE, the entirety ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a railway shunt enclosure. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to apparatus for mountingrailway termination shunts within enclosures.

Discussion of the Related Art

Railway termination shunts often include electrical components inelectrical communication with cables carrying signals from a warningpredictor track circuit that includes portions of the tracks of arailway. Wheelsets of rail cars passing over those portions of thetracks will short circuit the track circuit (for example, within apre-determined alternating current frequency band), and correspondingsignals will be communicated to the termination shunts and warningpredictor controller(s) to trigger safety systems such as gates, lights,bells or the like positioned at vehicle crossings.

A conventional railway termination shunt enclosure includes a box withswinging access lid and a plurality of ports through which electricalcables in communication with the termination shunt extend. The box mayalso enclose one or more electrical bus(es) for terminating andelectrically connecting interior and exterior cables. However, enclosedspaces within the box are often crowded, disorganized and haphazard,frustrating efforts to install, replace and position termination shuntsand related components. There is a need for an improved railwaytermination shunt enclosure.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present invention, a railway terminationshunt enclosure is provided. The enclosure includes one or morereceptacles, each of the one or more receptacles being configured toreceive a termination shunt. The enclosure also includes at least onemounting surface and a connector assembly rotatably attaching the one ormore receptacles to one or more of the at least one mounting surface.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a railwaytermination shunt enclosure is provided. The enclosure comprises acarrier including one or more receptacles, each of the one or morereceptacles being configured to receive a termination shunt. The carrieralso includes at least one mounting surface and a connector assemblyattaching the one or more receptacles to one or more of the at least onemounting surface. The enclosure also comprises at least one outer wallenclosing the carrier, defining an opening, and including a movable lidconfigured to selectively cover the opening. The carrier is sized forremoval from the enclosure through the opening.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a railwaytermination shunt enclosure is provided. The enclosure includes acarrier. The carrier includes one or more receptacles. Each of thereceptacle(s) is configured to receive a termination shunt. The carrieralso includes at least one carrier wall attached to the receptacle(s).The at least one carrier wall includes a bottom edge. The enclosure alsoincludes at least one outer wall enclosing the carrier and including abottom wall defining one or more apertures. The bottom edge ispositioned at a remove from the bottom wall to define a gap therebetweenconfigured to receive cables respectively extending between thetermination shunt(s) and the aperture(s).

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form. These concepts are further described below in thedetailed description of the preferred embodiments. This summary is notintended to identify key features or essential features of the claimedsubject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of theclaimed subject matter.

Various other aspects and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail belowwith regard to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a railway termination shuntenclosure with an open lid, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the enclosure of FIG. 1 ,illustrating outside surfaces of portions of bottom, front and rearouter walls;

FIG. 3 is another front perspective view of the enclosure of FIG. 1 ,taken from a rotated vantage point to better illustrate the outsidesurface of a portion of the bottom outer wall and reveal an inductormounted on one of a plurality of inductor mounts in accordance withembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial side perspective view of the enclosure of FIG. 1 ,with a right outer wall and portions of rear, top and bottom outer wallssectioned or removed to reveal interior aspects of the enclosure;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the enclosure of FIG. 1 ,illustrating a bottom outer wall and a carrier including a plurality ofshunt receptacles in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the carrier of FIG. 5 ;

FIG. 7 is another front perspective view of the carrier of FIG. 5 ,taken from a rotated vantage point to better illustrate a connectorassembly's association with the plurality of receptacles and with amounting surface;

FIG. 8 is another front perspective view of the carrier of FIG. 5 ,taken from a rotated vantage point to better illustrate a connectorassembly's association with a second, opposite mounting surface;

FIG. 9 is a partial side perspective view of the enclosure of FIG. 1 ,illustrating a closed front wall and having portions of rear andright-side outer walls removed;

FIG. 10 is a rotated view of the enclosure of FIG. 9 ;

FIG. 11 is an exploded front perspective view of the inductor of FIG. 3removed from its corresponding inductor mount;

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the inductor of FIG. 3 removablymounted to its corresponding inductor mount;

FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of the inductor mount of FIG. 11 ;

FIG. 14 is a front view of the inductor mount of FIG. 11 ; and

FIG. 15 is a perspective, vertical cross-section of the inductor mountof FIG. 11 cut through a lateral center of the inductor mount.

The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to the specificembodiments disclosed and described herein. While the drawings do notnecessarily provide exact dimensions or tolerances for the illustratedcomponents or structures, the drawings are to scale with respect to therelationships between the components of the structures illustrated inthe drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms. While the drawings illustrate, and the specification describes,certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understoodthat such disclosure is by way of example only. There is no intent tolimit the principles of the present invention to the particulardisclosed embodiments.

Furthermore, unless specified or made clear, the directional referencesmade herein with regard to the present invention and/or associatedcomponents (for example, top, bottom, upper, lower, inner, outer, etc.)are used solely for the sake of convenience and should be understoodonly in relation to each other. For instance, a component might inpractice be oriented such that faces referred to as “top” and “bottom”are sideways, angled, inverted, etc. relative to the chosen frame ofreference.

With initial reference to FIG. 1 , a railway shunt enclosure 20 mayinclude at least one outer wall 22, a carrier 24 and one or moreterminals 26. The at least one outer wall 22 may comprise a top 28,bottom 30, left and right sides 32, 34, a back 36 and a front 38,together defining an enclosed space around the carrier 24 and the one ormore terminals 26. The at least one outer wall 22 may partially orentirely be constructed from metals and metal alloys, such as aluminum,steel and/or the like, but may also or alternatively be constructed fromother materials such as thermoplastics without departing from the spiritof the present invention.

The top 28, bottom 30, and left and right sides 32, 34 may togetherdefine an opening 40 therebetween. Each of the top 28, bottom 30, leftand right sides 32, 34, back 36 and front 38 may primarily comprise asubstantially planar panel with interior and exterior surfaces orientedperpendicularly to corresponding surfaces of adjacent planar panels toform a square prism shape. More particularly, the front 38 includes afront wall 42 comprising a movable lid configured to selectively coverthe opening 40. Planar panels or walls of the top 28, bottom 30, leftand right sides 32, 34, and back 36 are respectively designated 44, 46,48, 50 and 52 in FIGS. 1-3 .

One of ordinary skill will appreciate that a front of an at least oneouter wall may also cooperate in defining a front opening withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present invention. It should also benoted that an at least one outer wall may be formed in a shape otherthan a square prism or cube within the scope of the present invention.

The front wall 42 is rotatably attached to the left side 32 by theillustrated hinges 54, and is attached to the opposite, right side 34 ina closed position by, for example, the illustrated latch comprisingcomponents 56 a, 56 b. A movable lid may be alternatively associatedand/or engaged with remaining ones of an at least one wall—for example,by being slidable along tracks attached to a subset of the remainingones and/or rotatably attached to another one of the walls—withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present invention.

The illustrated front wall 42 is shown in an open position in FIGS. 1-3, and may be selectively closed by manual and/or automated actuation tocover the opening 40. One of ordinary skill will appreciate thatalternative latching structures and/or biasing mechanisms (e.g.,spring(s), hydraulic cylinder(s) or the like) may engage with and firmlyhold a movable lid against remaining ones of an at least one outer wallin the closed position within the scope of the present invention.

In one or more embodiments, moving the front wall 42 to a closedposition seals or substantially seals the enclosure 20. “Sealing” or“substantial sealing” of a termination shunt enclosure against ingressof liquids or particulates may be achieved with reference to aparticular application and project requirements. Substantial sealing maybe determined by an ingress protection rating measured according toINTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION® (IEC™) 60529, “Degrees ofProtection Provided by Enclosures” (the “IP Rating”). For example,sealing or substantial sealing of trackside termination shunt enclosuresof embodiments of the present invention may meet IP 20 and IP 55 Ratingsfor dust and water ingress protection. In each case, the exemplary IPRatings are determined according to standards promulgated at the time ofthe earliest priority filing hereof. One of ordinary skill willappreciate that a variety of methods and standards may be employed, andthat the degree of sealing required for a particular application mayvary, within the scope of the present technology.

More generally, except with respect to the structure and functiondescribed and taught herein for and/or relating to a carrier, removableand/or swingable receptacles, a simulated track inductor mount and/orsurrounding cooperative structures, the structure and configuration ofthe termination shunt enclosure discussed herein is generallyconventional in nature, as will be readily appreciated by one ofordinary skill in the art, and need not be described in further detailhere. Furthermore, such conventional aspects of the railway shuntenclosure design may be varied without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. For instance, the positioning of apertures along anat least one outer wall for the passage of wiring therethrough, thepositioning of terminals for joining leads of such external and internalwires, and/or the wiring patterns and/or positions of the wiresthemselves within the railway shunt enclosure, may vary according to theabilities of one of ordinary skill within the scope of the presentinvention.

Turning briefly now to FIG. 2 , a plurality of apertures 58 are definedby or through the planar panel or wall 46 of the bottom 30, and areconfigured to accommodate wires passing therethrough (not shown). It isagain noted here that the particular pattern of apertures depicted inFIG. 2 is provided by way of example only, and that more or fewerapertures positioned in varying positions and along different panels ofan at least one outer wall are within the scope of the presentinvention.

The planar panel or wall 52 of the back 36 is also fixed (e.g., welded)to one or more U-brackets 60 that may be used to attach the enclosure 20to an upright pole or other supporting structure for holding theenclosure 20 in an elevated position above ground surfaces. Alternative,additional and/or fewer fasteners for attaching an enclosure tosupporting structure, or no fasteners at all, may be used withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present invention.

Turning now to FIG. 3 , the bottom 30 also includes a ledge 62. Theledge 62 cooperates with ledges 64, 66 and 68, respectively of the left,right and top 32, 34, 28, to form a reduced dimension stop just insideof the opening 40. The reduced dimension stop seals against interiorperimeter surfaces of the front wall or lid 42 when closed over theopening 40. The ledge 62 also engages with component(s) of the carrier24 upon closure in one or more embodiments of the present invention, asdiscussed in more detail below.

The front 38 also includes a compartment 70. The compartment 70 isdefined between the interior surface of the front wall 42 and a wall 71fixed to the front wall 42. The compartment 70 is configured to holdpapers, manuals or other objects to be protected from the elements. Thewall 71 comprises an interior projecting surface 72 along an interiorside. The interior projecting surface 72 also engages with component(s)of the carrier 24 upon closure in one or more embodiments of the presentinvention, as discussed in more detail below.

It should be noted that a wall defining a compartment and including aninterior projecting surface is merely an exemplary structure. Engagementof an interior projecting surface with a carrier, as described in moredetail below, may be achieved by a suitably configured surfaceprojecting inward from an interior surface of a lid without regard tothe particular shape of the underlying structure that presents theprojecting surface (i.e., in this example, a square prism-shaped wall).In one or more embodiments, the projecting surface may be any surfaceremoved and projecting from an interior surface of a lid withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present invention.

Turning now to FIG. 4 , the right side 34 and portions of the back, topand bottom 36, 28, 30 are removed to illustrate an exemplary dispositionand orientation of the carrier 24 relative to the at least one outerwall 22. The carrier 24 includes generally left and right opposingsidewalls 74, 76 connected by a rear wall 78. The left and rightsidewalls 74, 76 are illustrated as extending perpendicularly from therear wall 78. The sidewalls 74, 76 and rear wall 78 are also shown as amonolithic or single piece, and may comprise metal or metal alloy (e.g.,stainless steel). However, one of ordinary skill will appreciate thatthe sidewalls and rear wall may be angularly oriented differently withrespect to one another and/or may comprise alternative materials withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present invention.

Turning briefly to FIG. 5 , the carrier 24 also includes spacers 80fixed to and extending vertically along an outside surface of the rearwall 78. Two spacers 80 are shown, spaced laterally from one anotheralong the rear wall 78. The spacers 80 are illustrated as U-brackets,and are removably fixed to the rear wall 78 by fasteners 81 extendingthrough aligned apertures defined in the U-brackets and the rear wall78. The spacers 80 may optionally also be fixed, removably orpermanently, to the panel or wall 52 of the back 36 (e.g., via fastenerssuch as bolts or welding, in each case not shown). The spacers 80 serveto evenly space the remainder of the carrier 24 from the panel or wall52 of the back 36, positioning the carrier 24 relative to the ledge 62and the interior projecting surface 72 so as to enable proper rotationof other components of the carrier 24, as described in more detailbelow.

One of ordinary skill will appreciate that a variety of spacers orbrackets may be included in a carrier and/or that components of acarrier may be alternatively sized relative to an at least one outerwall to facilitate rotational features of the carrier, such as thosedescribed in more detail below, without departing from the spirit of thepresent invention. It should also be noted that one or more spacers mayinstead or also be attached to or otherwise associated with a rear of anat least one outer wall to provide proper spacing within the scope ofthe present invention.

Turning now to FIGS. 6-8 , interior surfaces 82, 84 respectively of leftand right sidewalls 74, 76 each define a mounting surface 86. Thecarrier 24 also includes a connector assembly 88 extending between themounting surfaces 86, and a plurality of receptacles 90. The connectorassembly 88 is attached to the left and right sidewalls 74, 76 at themounting surfaces 86, and rotatably suspends the receptacles 90therebetween along or slightly above the bottom 30.

The receptacles 90 are each configured to at least partially enclose andhouse a termination shunt (an exemplary shunt 93 is illustrated in therightmost receptacle 90). The receptacles 90 are each illustrated asopen top cylinders with opposite, closed ends defining one or moreapertures therethrough. The receptacles 90 and connector assembly 88 maycomprise the same or different materials as the sidewalls and rear wall74, 76, 78 of the carrier 24. Moreover, receptacles may be ofalternative shapes, and may vary in number, without departing from thespirit of the present invention.

The illustrated connector assembly 88 includes a hinge comprising a pin91 (FIG. 8 ) fixed to the opposite mounting surfaces 86 and extendingthrough a plurality of knuckles 92, 94. Each of the knuckles 92 is fixed(e.g., welded) to a corresponding one of the receptacles 90, with theknuckles 92 being rotatable about the pin 91. The knuckles 94 arealternatingly positioned along the pin 91 to maintain lateral separationbetween the knuckles 92 and between the knuckles 92 and the sidewalls74, 76. The receptacles 90 may, accordingly, be attached to theconnector assembly 88 at the knuckles 92, but may rotate about the pin91, as discussed in more detail below.

One of ordinary skill will appreciate that alternative connectorassemblies may be used in embodiments of the present invention. Forexample, in a similar but modified configuration, mounting surfaces maycomprise bearings along sidewalls of a carrier, with a pin beingrotatably mounted to the bearings. Receptacles may be fixed to knucklesthat are, in turn, fixed (e.g., welded) to the rotating pin so that thereceptacles rotate in unison (at a fixed angle relative to each other)about the pin. For another example, mounting surfaces may instead belocated along interior surfaces of sidewalls of an at least one outerwall, rather than sidewalls of a carrier, with a connector assemblyrotatably mounting receptacles therebetween (such that the receptaclesare rotatably supported directly by the outer wall(s) of the enclosureinstead of an intermediate carrier). It should also be noted that otherconnector assemblies for rotatably mounting one or more receptacles maybe used without departing from the spirit of the present invention.Moreover, in one or more embodiments, a connector assembly maynon-rotatably suspend one or more receptacles. For example, receptaclesmay be welded or soldered to, or integrally formed with, one or moremounting surfaces, with the intervening connective materials between thereceptacles and mounting surfaces comprising a connector assembly.

It should also be noted that, in one or more embodiments, including theillustrated embodiment, the carrier 24 is positioned within the at leastone outer wall 22 so that bottom edges 96, 98 of the sidewalls 74, 76engage with and are supported on the interior surface of the bottom wallor panel 46. However, a bottom or terminal edge 100 of the rear wall 78of the carrier 24 stops short of or is at a remove from the interiorsurface of the bottom wall or panel 46, defining a gap 102 therebetween.(See FIG. 9 ) The gap 102 provides clearance for wire(s) of thetermination shunt(s) 93 enclosed or housed by the receptacles 90 toextend to corresponding aperture(s) 58 through the bottom wall or panel46.

Returning briefly to FIGS. 3-4 , it should be noted that the width andheight of the sidewalls 74, 76 and rear wall 78 of the carrier 24, aswell as of the receptacles 90 and spacers 80, are preferably sized sothat the overall profile in lateral (width) and height dimensions of thecarrier 24 are less than those of the opening 40 and of the reduceddimension stop, to permit removal of the carrier 24 from the at leastone outer wall 22, facilitating installation and wiring operations.

Further, rotation of the receptacles 90 may be bounded and defined bysurrounding structures of the enclosure 20. FIGS. 3-4 illustrate thefront wall or lid 42 in an open position, and show the receptacles 90leaning out over the ledge 62 and protruding through the opening 40. Oneof ordinary skill will appreciate that the receptacles 90 may be biasedto lean out while the lid 42 is open (e.g., by weight disposition alongthe connector assembly 88 and/or because of a biasing member such as aspring (not shown)) and/or may simply be free to rotate into such aprotruding orientation by manual manipulation. Further rotation of thereceptacles 90 is arrested by the positioning of the ledge 62 of thebottom 30. That is, front portions of the receptacles 90 engage with theledge 62 at one or more rotational positions, and the engagementprevents or otherwise restricts further rotation and protrusion of thereceptacles 90. The ledge 62 thus advantageously serves dualpurposes—participating in a seal with the lid 42 and being positioned soas to optimally arrest further rotation of the receptacles 90 when thelid 42 is open.

Turning now to FIGS. 9-10 , lid 42 is illustrated in a closed position,sealed against the reduced dimension stop formed by ledges 62, 64, 66,68. In the process of closure—whereby the lid 42 swings about the hinges54—the interior projecting surface 72 is pressed into contact with oneor more of the receptacles 90. The contact or engagement between theinterior projecting surface 72 and the one or more receptacles 90 causeseach engaged receptacle 90 (whether engaged directly or indirectlythrough common connection to the pin 91) to counter-rotate from theprotruded position into a retracted position within the interior spaceformed by the at least one outer wall 22.

For example, a rim 104 of a leftmost receptacle 90 may first engage withand contact the interior projecting surface 72, counter-rotating andsliding up the interior projecting surface 72 as the lid 42 closureprogresses. Receptacles 90 positioned further to the right may eitherrotate with the leftmost receptacle 90 (for example, where receptacles90 are bound to rotate together because each is respectively fixed tothe pin 91) or may successively, in a left-to-right order, undergo thesame engagement and counter-rotation processes as the lid 42 closureprogresses. For another example, such as where the interior projectingsurface 72 is positioned low relative to the receptacles 90, theinterior projecting surface 72 may include an upper edge 106 forengaging front surfaces of the receptacles 90, with counter-rotationotherwise proceeding in the fashion outlined in the first example above.

Embodiments of the invention therefore include a removable and/orswingable carrier for enclosing and/or housing one or more terminationshunts in one or more corresponding receptacles. Embodiments of theinvention provide for organized, decluttered and generally easierinstallation, removal and wiring of termination shunts withintermination shunt enclosures.

Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 11 , a plurality of simulated track inductormounts 108 are illustrated. The number of mounts 108 preferablycorresponds to the number of termination shunts 93 housed within theenclosure 20. The mounts 108 are removably fixed (e.g., via fasteners(not shown)) to a supporting surface comprising the interior surface ofthe back panel or wall 52. However, it should be noted that more orfewer mounts may be used within an enclosure and/or that one or moremounts according to embodiments of the present invention may bealternatively located within the enclosure and/or be located outside anenclosure without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Each mount 108 is configured to removably seat a corresponding simulatedtrack inductor 110. The illustrated inductor 110 is toroidal, defining aring-shaped inner margin or surface 112. The ring-shaped inner surface112 is substantially symmetrical, presenting a relatively constant innerradius, but includes a projection 114 extending further radially inwardor inside of the radius and inner surface 112.

The illustrated projection 114 comprises a fastener in the form of acable tie. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that alternativefasteners may be incorporated into a simulated track inductor and/orthat more, fewer or no fasteners may be used without departing from thespirit of the present invention. It should also be noted that an innersurface may vary in shape and/or size within the scope of the presentinvention. For example, an inductor may be in a non-toroidal shape, andtherefore may present an inner surface configured other than in a ringshape, without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Turning more broadly to FIGS. 11-15 , the inductor 110 is removablyseated on the mount 108. The mount 108 includes a base 116 and a hub118. The illustrated base 116 is a plate flange that defines apertures120 therethrough. Fasteners (not shown) such as sheet metal screws maybe inserted through the apertures 120 and engaged with the back panel 52or another supporting surface to secure the mount 108 thereagainst. Oneof ordinary skill will appreciate that a base may be alternativelyshaped or configured, and/or may engage differently with a supportingsurface (and may be integral with or welded thereto), without departingfrom the spirit of the present invention.

The hub 118 is attached to or formed integrally with the base 116. Thehub 118 includes one or more surfaces 122 defining an outer margin M ofthe hub 118 configured to engage with the inner surface 112. Moreparticularly, the illustrated surfaces 122 are arcuate or convex inshape, cooperating to define a substantially cylindrical margin M withsufficient radius to ensure engagement between the surfaces 122 andcorresponding portions of the inner surface 112 of the inductor 110. Oneor ordinary skill will appreciate that inner surfaces of differentshapes, and corresponding margins of differing shapes, are within thescope of the present invention.

The substantially cylindrical margin M is circumferentially interruptedor broken along at least one portion. More particularly, at least onerecession 124 from the margin M is formed by corresponding relievedsurface(s) 126 extending radially inside the margin M and alternatinglydisposed between the surfaces 122. The recession(s) 124 are sized toaccommodate projection(s) 114 where the inductor 110 is removably seatedon the mount 108.

One of ordinary skill will appreciate that inductors may include varyingnumbers and types of projections, and that inductor mounts may include avarying number of recessions (for example, more than the number ofprojections, if it is desired to allow an inductor to be oriented in aplurality of rotational positions on the mounts) without departing fromthe spirit of the present invention. It should also be noted thatrelieved surfaces defining recessions of alternative shape (i.e., otherthan arcuate or concave) are within the scope of the present invention.

In one or more embodiments, the hub 118 also includes one or morecamming tabs 128. The illustrated hub 118 includes two tabs 128, eachbeing fixed to (i.e., either attached to or formed integrally with) acantilevered flange 130 presenting a corresponding portion of thesurfaces 122. Radially outer surfaces 132 of the tabs 128 are configuredto rest radially outside of the margin M (FIG. 14 ). In one or moreembodiments, surfaces 122 presented on the outside of flanges 130 alsorest radially outside of the margin M (FIG. 14 ).

Each tab 128 also includes a chamfered surface 134 adjacent each outersurface 132. The chamfered surface 134 facilitates smooth engagementbetween the inner surface 112 and the tab 128. More particularly, thechamfered surface 134 permits a user to flex the tab 128 radially inwardwith a single motion pressing the inductor 110 axially onto the hub 118(with the engagement along the chamfered surface 134 causing the inwardflexing of the tab 128), removing the need for a second, independentuser movement pressing on the tab 128 in a radially inward direction.

The hub 118 also defines a gap 136 radially inside each flange 130. Eachgap 136 is preferably wide enough to allow radially inward flexing ofthe corresponding tab 128 until the outer surface 132 is positionedsubstantially along the margin M.

As the inductor 110 is mounted to the mount 108, the inner surface 112engages with the tabs 128, causing the flanges 130 and tabs 128 to flexradially inward and allow the inner surface 112 to slide axially ontothe hub 118. Once the inner surface 112 is past the tabs 128, theflanges 130 and tabs 128 flex radially outward again toward or into theresting position, with the outer surfaces 132 being radially outside ofthe inner surface 112 to restrict removal of the inductor 110 from thehub 118 and complete the removable seating operation.

One of ordinary skill will appreciate that a camming tab may be mountedto different structure on or associated with a hub, may be mounted indifferent positions along a hub, may be more or less numerous, and/ormay be differently shaped, without departing from the spirit of thepresent invention.

Embodiments of the present invention therefore provide for easy andsecure installation and removal of simulated track inductors, forexample within termination shunt enclosures.

Although the above description presents features of preferredembodiments of the present invention, other preferred embodiments mayalso be created in keeping with the principles of the invention. Suchother preferred embodiments may, for instance, be provided with featuresdrawn from one or more of the embodiments described above. Yet further,such other preferred embodiments may include features from multipleembodiments described above, particularly where such features arecompatible for use together despite having been presented independentlyas part of separate embodiments in the above description.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any suitablecombination of the previously described embodiments may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present invention.

The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used asillustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense ininterpreting the scope of the present invention. Obvious modificationsto the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readilymade by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit ofthe present invention.

The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the Doctrine ofEquivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of thepresent invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departingfrom but outside the literal scope of the invention as set forth in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A railway shunt enclosure comprising: an outer wall defining an interior space; a receptacle configured to receive a shunt; and a connector assembly including a first portion fixed relative to the outer wall and a rotatable second portion fixed relative to the receptacle, such that the receptacle is rotatable between a retracted position, wherein the receptacle is positioned within the interior space, and a protruded position, wherein at least a portion of the receptacle protrudes from the interior space, one of said portions of the connector assembly including a pin, and the other of said portions of the connector assembly including a first knuckle rotatably received on the pin, said pin being fixedly coupled relative to the outer wall, said first knuckle being fixed to the receptacle, said connector assembly including a second knuckle configured to maintain lateral separation between the outer wall and the first knuckle, said second knuckle being received on the pin.
 2. The railway shunt enclosure as claimed in claim 1, said outer wall defining an opening, said receptacle partially protruding through the opening in the protruded position, said receptacle being wholly positioned outside the opening and within the interior space in the retracted position.
 3. The railway shunt enclosure as claimed in claim 2, said outer wall including a movable lid shiftable between a closed position, wherein the opening is covered, and an open position, wherein the opening is at least partially uncovered.
 4. The railway shunt enclosure as claimed in claim 3, said movable lid including an interior projecting surface attached thereto, the interior projecting surface extending into the interior space in the closed position, said interior projecting surface positioned to engage the receptacle such that, when the movable lid is shifted from the open position to the closed position, the interior projecting surface engages the receptacle so as to rotate the receptacle from the protruded position to the retracted position.
 5. The railway shunt enclosure as claimed in claim 3, said movable lid configured to engage the receptacle so as to rotate the receptacle from the protruded position to the retracted position when the movable lid is shifted from the open position to the closed position.
 6. The railway shunt enclosure as claimed in claim 1, said outer wall being positioned to engage the receptacle in the protruded position so as to restrict additional rotation and protrusion of the receptacle.
 7. The railway shunt enclosure as claimed in claim 1, said receptacle including an open top and an opposite closed end, said second portion of the connector assembly being fixed to the receptacle adjacent the closed end.
 8. The railway shunt enclosure as claimed in claim 7, said closed end of the receptacle defining at least one aperture therethrough.
 9. A railway shunt enclosure comprising: an outer wall defining an interior space; and a plurality of receptacles, each of which is configured to receive a shunt, each receptacle of said plurality of receptacles being rotatable relative to the outer wall between a retracted position and a protruded position, wherein the plurality of receptacles are positioned within the interior space in the retracted position, and wherein at least a portion of the plurality of receptacles protrude from the interior space in the protruded position, said plurality of receptacles being individually rotatable so that each receptacle is rotatable between the retracted and protruded positions independent of the other receptacles.
 10. The railway shunt enclosure as claimed in claim 9, said outer wall defining an opening, each receptacle of said plurality of receptacles partially protruding through the opening in the protruded position, each receptacle of said plurality of receptacles being wholly positioned outside the opening and within the interior space in the retracted position.
 11. The railway shunt enclosure as claimed in claim 10, said outer wall including a movable lid shiftable between a closed position, wherein the opening is covered, and an open position, wherein the opening is at least partially uncovered.
 12. The railway shunt enclosure as claimed in claim 11, said movable lid including an interior projecting surface attached thereto, the interior projecting surface extending into the interior space in the closed position, said interior projecting surface positioned to engage each of the receptacles such that, when the movable lid is shifted from the open position to the closed position, the interior projecting surface engages each receptacle so as to rotate each receptacle from the protruded position to the retracted position.
 13. The railway shunt enclosure as claimed in claim 11, said movable lid configured to engage each of the receptacles so as to rotate each receptacle from the protruded position to the retracted position when the movable lid is shifted from the open position to the closed position.
 14. The railway shunt enclosure as claimed in claim 9, said outer wall being positioned to engage each of the receptacles in the protruded position so as to restrict additional rotation and protrusion of each receptacle.
 15. The railway shunt enclosure as claimed in claim 9, each receptacle of said plurality of receptacles including an open top and an opposite closed end.
 16. The railway shunt enclosure as claimed in claim 9, said closed end of each receptacle defining at least one aperture therethrough.
 17. The railway shunt enclosure as claimed in claim 9 further comprising a hinge rotatably supporting the receptacles relative to the outer wall.
 18. The railway shunt enclosure as claimed in claim 17 said hinge including a pin fixedly coupled relative to the outer wall, said hinge including a plurality of first knuckles, each of which is fixed to a respective one of the receptacles and rotatably received on the pin, said hinge including a plurality of second knuckles received on the pin, said first and second knuckles being alternatingly positioned along the pin so as to maintain lateral separation between the receptacles. 